Do you need a visa to travel to Japan? What documents are required for entry? Here's everything you need to know.

Entry into Japan is permitted only with a passport valid for the entire duration of the stay (preferably with at least 6 months of residual validity ).

Italian citizens do not need a visa if the trip is for tourism and lasts a maximum of 90 days.

What you need before departure

- Make sure you have a valid and undamaged passport (it may be worn, but intact in all its parts and without torn pages)

- Fill out the Visit Japan Web form before departure (not mandatory)

What is Visit Japan Web?

What is Visit Japan Web?
It is a website promoted by the Japanese government that allows you to register all your personal, customs and immigration information before leaving for Japan .

On the site you can also save the contact details of the hotel or Airbnb where you will be staying, which are required at customs.

This helps you simplify the process of entering Japan and greatly reduce the time it takes to go through customs.

If you are unable to register your information on the Visit Japan Web portal, you can still fill out the paper forms upon arrival (Disembarkation Card for Foreigners and Customs Declaration), but it may take longer.

Visit Japan Web (official link)Compilation Guide (English)

What happens when I arrive at the airport?

Passport control:

Once you get off the plane, head to security: transit times can be very long depending on the time you arrive and the airport you are at.

If you filled out the Visit Japan Web form, please stand in the queue for those with QR codes.

If you haven't filled it out, you'll find a blank sheet of paper called a "Disembarkation Card for Foreigners" before you enter the queue. Fill it out and hand it in to the immigration officer.

The latter will place a small sticker on your passport: this is the tourist visa, valid for 90 days, which will be essential in case of checks and for tax free entry.


Baggage claim and customs:

Once you have passed through passport control, you will find yourself in the baggage claim area.

If you haven't filled out the Visit Japan Web application, take advantage of the wait to fill out the "Customs Declaration" (yellow sheet) with all the required information.

Once you have collected your luggage, head towards the mandatory customs checks (before leaving you must hand over the completed Customs Declaration).

Here too, there is a dedicated queue for those with the Visit Japan Web QR code.

Now you can finally head towards the exit.

✅ To recap:

To enter Japan as a tourist, you only need a valid passport and (for Italians) a visa is not required . Registering on Visit Japan Web simplifies checks. Don't forget to fill out the customs forms!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to travel to Japan as a tourist?

If you have an Italian passport, no, you do not need to apply for a visa.

If you have a different passport, check on your embassy's website.

What happens if I don't fill out Visit Japan Web?

No problem: upon arrival in Japan you will need to fill out the "Disembarkation Card for Foreigners" (white sheet) and the "Customs Declaration" (yellow sheet), which replace the Japan Visit Web.

However, we recommend that you complete the Japan Visit Web form before your departure to speed up the entry process into Japan.

How many days can I stay in Japan without a visa?

You can stay for a maximum of 90 days, for tourism purposes.

Beyond this threshold, you will have to leave Japan or apply for a different type of visa.

What to fill out at Japanese customs?

If you filled out the Visit Japan Web, you won't need to fill out anything.

Otherwise, you will have to fill out the "Disembarkation Card for Foreigner" (white sheet) and the "Customs Declaration" (yellow sheet).

Find the best insurance for your trip to Japan .